How many times does this name bring to mind a quilt pattern, but leaves us wondering what really happened at the event this quilt pattern was named after?
I typed Whig's Defeat into google...and the first few entries brought up QUILT related topics, but didn't even take me to the real event until way down the list!
This is a screen capture, not an ad, and not anything you can click...so don't try :c)This is what I got in my google search!
(Btw, I am typing this while on hold with Delta. There is a reason I fly United..just sayin! Delta won't let me choose my plane seat on linem I can only do that at check in time at the airport? I need a right side window so I don't poke anyone while quilting! >_< )
A little history lesson thanks to Wiki:
The Whig party was ultimately destroyed by the question of whether to allow the expansion of slavery to the territories. With deep fissures in the party on this question, the anti-slavery faction successfully prevented the nomination of its own incumbent President Fillmore in the 1852 presidential election; instead, the party nominated General Winfield Scott. Its leaders quit politics (as Lincoln did temporarily) or changed parties. The voter base defected to the Republican Party, various coalition parties in some states, and to the Democratic Party. By the 1856 presidential election, the party had lost its ability to maintain a national coalition of effective state parties and endorsed Millard Fillmore, now of the American Party, at its last national convention.
I just find it really interesting that such a political thing could spawn such a GORGEOUS well known quilt pattern!
Sharon and I found this one while in the attic of a lovely antique store. It is SHREDDED...which is a shame because it was so heavily quilted....the stitching was awesome.
The applique almost looked raw edge, but I tend to think that it is because the applique stitches came undone over use, and the only thing holding the applique pieces in place are the quilting stitches :c)
The variations are many! Here's one dating from 1870:
I just know this is a pattern I will never ever piece/applique myself. Not in this life time, no how! But oh how lovely.....makes me wonder what the original maker of the shredded quilt above was thinking while she was busy needling away. How did this quilt end up in Kansas? How many people over the decades did it cover as they slept, because this quilt WAS USED TO DEATH....we will never know!
11 comments:
I've just got some more "state" quilt books and this pattern is in it and its gorgeous. Thanks for the history tidbit to go along with the block name!
Did you purchase the quilt? It actually doesn't look too bad from the photos - is only the red fabric shredding? It looks like it could be repaired without too much trouble. What an interesting pattern!
I agree with you on Delta - I flew with them recently (I usually fly American) and was floored by the seat assignment process!
I have an old quilt that is cream background like this w/greens. It is also in terrible condition. The fabrics were so THIN and I think they got a lot of use... If it's okay with you, I'll post a pic of it today or tomorrow with a link to this article. Thanks for the informaiton, I had NO IDEA! XO
This is a lovely quilt and block and what a fascinating history. Doesn't it help us to connect with the quilters of the past to hear these stories. I just love that this quilt has been 'used to death'. Thanks for sharing... I hope you were able to get the right seat so you didn't poke anyone!!
Fantastic!
Beautiful quilt - and wouldn't it be wonderful if we could know their stories - the people they covered, the things they saw and heard!!!!
Thanks for sharing!
sao in Midlothian, VA
www.shirleyannesheart.com
I think it was nicer for the maker, who spent so much care, time and skill on this, that it was greatly used and loved. It is good to have mint condition quilts for exhibitions but it means they were probably locked away in a trunk and although later generations can admire the maker's skill, the quilts never kept anyone warm. I think I'd like all my quilts to be out there hugging people.
Bonnie, what a stunning old quilt you found. Interesting the orange-red fabric only has shredded, I bet it was something in the dye of the day for that colour that has caused it to disintegrate. The rest of the quilt seems in really good condition for one so old, all that quilting has preserved it magnificently over time. Thanks for airing it in blog land.
Great quilts! I really like the old traditional blocks. The only way I would even think to try to make this block is with paper-piecing. Thanks for all the info you came up with. It is truly interesting.
Beautiful pattern and color combination! It facinates me to see really old quilts like that which are seemingly "current" in fresh colors amd bold patterns. Thanks for sharing!
Did you buy these?
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